Ernesto Valverde: Sevilla won't sit back

FC Barcelona are getting ready for the visit of Sevilla this Saturday at 8.45pm CET at Camp Nou for their 11th league game of the season. The clash with the Andalusians is the last before the third break in the La Liga calendar  for international matches. Barça coach Ernesto Valverde was circumspect in his pre-game press conference on Friday at the Ciutat Esportiva. “This is a dangerous game. Sevilla won’t sit back and it will be a tough game to dominate,” said the blaugrana boss.

Saturday’s visitors also have a new coach this season, Argentine Eduardo Berizzo. “When it comes to analyzing our opponents you don’t just look at the team but how they have done when they have come to Camp Nou. Berizzo has picked up some good results here for Celta against Barça. He’s a coach who is not afraid of playing to win,” added Valverde.

More from the Barça boss:

Importance of winning before international break

“It’s always important to go into international breaks positively. We are up against an important team who had some bad results up until a few weeks but now they are back in from and confident.”

600 games for Leo Messi

“It’s crazy that he is reaching that figure. But what matters is not just the 600 games but also what he has done in them, goals, assists and the brilliance that he produces.”

His team’s defensive solidity

“What I like best is that we are a unit. We attack and defend as one. It’s true that there have been games where we have been up against it and not played well but the team has dealt with it. We know that and will improve.”

On Iniesta

“He has not been given the all clear by the medical staff yet, we will have to see. He is an extraordinary that when he is out you always notice. Nevertheless, we have players with other characteristics who can also do a job.”

Aleix Vidal’s injury

“He has a problem with the ankle he had an operation on last season. The other day he spoke to the medical staff and I think soon he will be back with the squad.”